A group of college guys were sitting in their backyard one day making bets on sandwiches with basketball trick shots. Eventually the filming of these shots became viral videos. Now, they have the most viewed sports channel on YouTube and their own show on Nickelodeon. They do various trick shots from a variety of different sports and using a variety of gadgets. They have broken several records in the Guinness Book of World Records! They even have their own mobile game and co-branded sports toys. Their trick shots are perfect and nearly unbelievable!

Perfection makes great entertainment

Dude Perfect is fun and entertaining. Its popularity speaks to our nation’s value of appearing perfect. The drive for perfectionism is inflamed as we compare ourselves to others on social media. Videos like those of Dude Perfect make it seem like these trick shots are somewhat easy, especially when we never see how many times they fail. Like the scenes in Dude Perfect, we want to present ourselves as perfect, especially on social media. We tend to convince ourselves that in order to be loved and accepted, we must measure up to society’s standard of perfection. Many people also use perfectionism as a way to avoid shame, fear, judgment or even to gain power.

Reality check: We are not perfect

God tells us a different story. The Lord reminds us in Romans 3:23 that nobody is perfect except for Jesus. The only way we can be perfect is to have faith in Jesus Christ. Our faith in Jesus may not lead to flawless trick shots, but it does make us righteous in the eyes of God. This doesn’t mean that we won’t sin! However, our faith in Jesus covers us in God’s grace and sets us free. We don’t need to get caught up in trying to be perfect to win God’s favor. Yet, we should strive for excellence in being like Christ by following God’s ways. There is nothing wrong with wanting to better ourselves as long as we have the right motives. We should aim to be righteous because we love God and trust God’s ways are good.

Question of the day: If you could do one thing perfectly, what would it be?
Focal scriptures: Hebrews 10:11-22; Luke 10:38-42; Psalm 19:7-14; Matthew 23:25-28

For a complete lesson on this topic visit LinC.